After the Cubs had one of their best records in April in 1969, the start of May is starting to resemble the collapse towards of the season in 1969.  In one their toughest weeks this season, nothing looked pretty as the Cubs just won two out six against there NL Central rivals the Brewers and the Cardinals.  In a week that could have seperated them from everyone else in the divison, the Cubs are now looking up towards the Cardinals who now have a 1 1/2 lead over the Cubs.  Lets quickly recap this horrible week the Cubs have endured.

In the first game of a three game series against the Brewers, the Cubs lost 10-7 where there bullpen exploded and the Cubs were not able to deliever in the clutch.  The second game, which is forgotten in everybody's minds because of the other events that happened in this week, the Cubs demolished the Brewers 19-5.  In this game Geovany Soto hit 2 home runs and had 6 RBI's.  Things were looking up for the Cubs as they entered game 3 of the series.  The Cubs had a 3-1 lead entering the ninth inning with Kerry Wood on the mound to seal the deal.  Earlier, Zambrano pitched a beautiful game and was helped by perfect innings from Carlos Marmol.  Soriano was also back in the line up after returning from the DL.  Even though Soriano went 0-4, the day was going to have a beautiful ending.  I think I spoke to soon.  The beautiful ending never came as the Cubs coughed up the lead and ended up losing 4-3.  It all started with Wood hitting the first batter in the ninth and then allowing the next batter get on base.  It was now men on first and second as Wood delievered the next pitch to the next batter.  A fly ball to left field which is playable and catchable for Soriano.  Soriano misjudges it and misses the ball.  A run comes across the board and pretty soon Cubs were down 4-3.  Frustration mounted over to the press conference as Pinella ripped a reporter who questioned him about leaving Soriano in the game and not have a defensive replacement.  It was one of the most frustrating lost the Cubs have had so far this season. I hope Lou can endear another misplay by Soriano.

Continue reading "Rough Week for Cubs spells Rough Road Ahead"

After another game where stranding base-runners has become a common theme, what Lou Piniella had the right words to sum up the Cubs recent slide, "Like I told my guys after the ballgame, make the other team beat you, don't just give it to them," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. "You play like that and you're going to lose quite a few of them, or most of them. Anyway, it's over with. Done."

 So far the Cubs have been losing most of them.  To begin the night, the Cubs were facing the Reds tough rookie Jhonny Cueto, who baffled the Cubs all night.  Geovany Soto seemed like the only player to figure Cueto out when he hit a solo home run, his sixth of the year, to put the Cubs on board when it was 5-1.  But it was the costly errors that squandered Cubs chances.

Continue reading "Cubs lose 5-3 after having bases-loaded with 1 out"

 HOUSTON DEFEATS CUBS 5-3 ON A CARLOS LEE HOME RUN AS HOUSTON TAKES SERIES

After the Cubs went 8-2 on their latest home stand which made their record at home 19-8, it seems as if they forgot how to play anywhere else.  After losing to the Astros 5-3 and losing the series, the Cubs find themselves 9-11 away from the friendly Confines.  If a team wants to find themselves in the post-season, they need to win the big games on the road.  In a series that had playoff atmosphere, both teams were out to make statements.  The Astros were louder than the Cubs according to Shawn Chaccon, who got the decision in the victory.  "One message the Cubs might get out of it is, 'We're here. We're here to compete. We're going to battle,'" Chacon said. "'It's not the team it was last year. Basically, it's going to be a tough team to beat the whole year.'"

Continue reading "After winning at home, Cubs continue to falter on the Road"